For the latest Leafs updates or on Twitter
The Toronto Maple Leafs have mostly put forth a positive spin and a glass-is-half-full attitude with the club playing .500 hockey and struggling throughout the last six weeks, but after blowing another lead in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, the level of frustration is beginning to rise.
“We've got to regroup, we've got to figure out who wants to commit to playing as a team.” Goaltender Frederik Andersen said after the game. “We've got to look at the attitude. We played well enough for two periods, but we've got to find a way to keep the foot on the gas the whole game. We can't be satisfied with two periods.”
Toronto led 2-0 after 40 minutes on goals from Connor Brown and Frederik Gauthier, as the Leafs were success for the most part at playing the more conservative and tactical game that head coach Mike Babcock is looking for.
That effort was undone in the third, as the lead evaporated in less than four minutes, as rookie Nolan Patrick got the Flyers on the board and Wayne Simmonds scored short-handed to tie the game.
The Leafs held on for dear life for the rest of regulation, as Andersen made 13 of his 35 saves to preserve the point in the standings, but Sean Couturier completed the comeback just 18 seconds into overtime, converting on a two-on-one break for his 26th goal of the season.
“I don't think we're tired,” Andersen said.” I think it's a lack of effort at certain points and we've got to figure this out if we want to play any meaningful hockey later.”
The Leafs goaltender has held up his end of the bargain, playing at a high level consistently since the beginning of November, but rightly pointed out that other players on the roster are not doing the same.
Mitch Marner admitted after the game that he was outworked and had the puck stolen from him on Patrick’s goal and the Leafs defensive play on the two-on-one that led to Couturier’s game-winner was a series a mistakes and mishaps by William Nylander and Jake Gardiner.
Toronto is averaging just two goals per game in January and have a mediocre 2-2-3 record this month. The loss once again displayed their inability to generate offensive chances playing “playoff-style” hockey and when they do, they have not been able to convert.
Nazem Kadri missed badly on a breakaway chance early in the third that could have extended the lead to 3-0 just prior to Patrick’s opening goal, while veteran Patrick Marleau could have won the game late in regulation on a two-on-one break, but was foiled by a great right pad save by Flyers goalie Michal Neuvirth.
The power play went 0-for-2 on Thursday and gave up Simmonds short-handed tying goal. The Leafs are 2-for-18 (11.1% - 25th in the NHL) since January 1, when they’ve needed it more than ever to be effective.
Morgan Rielly was injured late in the second period after colliding with Flyers forward Jakob Voracek. The Leafs top defenseman saw only 5:25 of ice time in the third and according to Sportsnet’s
Chris Johnston , appeared in discomfort after the game.
“What we'll do is he'll get checked out.” Babcock said about Rielly after the game. “We had to be careful with him down the stretch so we'll see what that is and know more tomorrow.”
The Leafs have seven defensemen on the roster and if Rielly is unable to go, the club will likely insert Andreas Borgman back in the lineup and make an emergency recall from the Toronto Marlies at some point on Friday.
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»